Sodium

As essential nutrients, sodium and potassium contribute to the fundamentals of physiology and pathology of human health and disease. In clinical settings, these are two important blood electrolytes, are frequently measured and influence care decisions. Yet, blood electrolyte concentrations are usually not influenced by dietary intake, as kidney and hormone systems carefully regulate blood values. Over the years, increasing evidence suggests that sodium and potassium intake patterns of children and adults influence long-term population health mostly through complex relationships among dietary intake, blood pressure and cardiovascular health. The public health importance of understanding these relationships, based upon the best available evidence and establishing recommendations to support the development of population clinical practice guidelines and medical care of patients is clear. This report reviews evidence on the relationship between sodium and potassium intakes and indicators of adequacy, toxicity, and chronic disease. It updates the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) using an expanded DRI model that includes consideration of chronic disease endpoints, and outlines research gaps to address the uncertainties identified in the process of deriving the reference values and evaluating public health implications.

report on the latest developments in the field with new information in basic as well as in clinical sciences, Sodium in Health Diseases, covers both the physiology of sodium balance and how it relates to disease. Expertly written, its concise text examines ATPase, transport and receptor systems, and sodium balance as it relates to sex hormon

Reducing the intake of sodium is an important public health goal for Americans. Since the 1970s, an array of public health interventions and national dietary guidelines has sought to reduce sodium intake. However, the U.S. population still consumes more sodium than is recommended, placing individuals at risk for diseases related to elevated blood pressure. Strategies to Reduce Sodium Intake in the United States evaluates and makes recommendations about strategies that could be implemented to reduce dietary sodium intake to levels recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The book reviews past and ongoing efforts to reduce the sodium content of the food supply and to motivate consumers to change behavior. Based on past lessons learned, the book makes recommendations for future initiatives. It is an excellent resource for federal and state public health officials, the processed food and food service industries, health care professionals, consumer advocacy groups, and academic researchers.

Despite efforts over the past several decades to reduce sodium intake in the United States, adults still consume an average of 3,400 mg of sodium every day. A number of scientific bodies and professional health organizations, including the American Heart Association, the American Medical Association, and the American Public Health Association, support reducing dietary sodium intake. These organizations support a common goal to reduce daily sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams and further reduce intake to 1,500 mg among persons who are 51 years of age and older and those of any age who are African-American or have hypertension, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease. A substantial body of evidence supports these efforts to reduce sodium intake. This evidence links excessive dietary sodium to high blood pressure, a surrogate marker for cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke, and cardiac-related mortality. However, concerns have been raised that a low sodium intake may adversely affect certain risk factors, including blood lipids and insulin resistance, and thus potentially increase risk of heart disease and stroke. In fact, several recent reports have challenged sodium reduction in the population as a strategy to reduce this risk. Sodium Intake in Populations recognizes the limitations of the available evidence, and explains that there is no consistent evidence to support an association between sodium intake and either a beneficial or adverse effect on most direct health outcomes other than some CVD outcomes (including stroke and CVD mortality) and all-cause mortality. Some evidence suggested that decreasing sodium intake could possibly reduce the risk of gastric cancer. However, the evidence was too limited to conclude the converse-that higher sodium intake could possibly increase the risk of gastric cancer. Interpreting these findings was particularly challenging because most studies were conducted outside the United States in populations consuming much higher levels of sodium than those consumed in this country. Sodium Intake in Populations is a summary of the findings and conclusions on evidence for associations between sodium intake and risk of CVD-related events and mortality.

"Cooks who are watching their sodium but looking to spice up their lives should give this book a look. Recommended to readers of all cooking levels who are looking to bring healthy but delicious foods into their lives." —Booklist These low-sodium but flavor-packed 115 recipes plus daily meal plans will improve cardiac health without sacrificing taste. A lack of salt often means that food tastes ho-hum, which can ruin your appetite and adversely affect your quality of life. Yet the reality is that sodium levels in packaged and processed foods--such as ketchup, canned broths, and soups, to name just a few--are shockingly high. To stick with a low-sodium diet long-term you want to savor the food you're eating (so important!), which means finding new ways to replace the flavors that salt naturally highlights. Author Lara Ferroni, who adheres to a low-sodium diet herself, has spent years creating naturally flavorful recipes everyone will love. In this book, you will find 115 recipes for homemade condiments, spice blends, dressings, cheeses, breads, prepared meats, and other foods. In addition, she offers daily meal plans--breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even dessert!--which contain less than a total of 2,000 mg of sodium, typically the daily amount allowed on a low-sodium diet. Ferroni, who is also a food photographer, has filled the book with enticing photos and shares her experiences of maintaining (and making peace with) a low-sodium diet. There is no need to feel deprived on a low-sodium diet. These recipes will help you love the food you eat while at the same time feel good about taking care of your health.

An indispensable reference for those watching their salt intake, the expanded third edition of this nutritional sodium counter is small enough to put in a pocket or purse so wise food choices can be made at the grocery store or while dining out. Intended for the estimated 76 million Americans with high blood pressure, Menieres disease, and severe kidney disease, this guide addresses which supermarket products and fast-food items have the lowest sodium counts and simplifies choices by listing only low-sodium products. Each food is analyzed by calories, fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, carbohydrates, fiber, sugar, and sodium. Also included are brief descriptions of each nutrient and its effect on blood pressure, explanations of food labeling guidelines, and clarification of nutritional content claims.

Dietary Reference Intakes for Water, Potassium, Sodium, Chloride, and Sulfate The Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) are quantitative estimates of nutrient intakes to be used for planning and assessing diets for healthy people. This new report, the sixth in a series of reports presenting dietary reference values for the intakes of nutrients by Americans and Canadians, establishes nutrient recommendations on water, potassium, and salt for health maintenance and the reduction of chronic disease risk. Dietary Reference Intakes for Water, Potassium, Sodium, Chloride, and Sulfate discusses in detail the role of water, potassium, salt, chloride, and sulfate in human physiology and health. The major findings in this book include the establishment of Adequate Intakes for total water (drinking water, beverages, and food), potassium, sodium, and chloride and the establishment of Tolerable Upper Intake levels for sodium and chloride. The book makes research recommendations for information needed to advance the understanding of human requirements for water and electrolytes, as well as adverse effects associated with the intake of excessive amounts of water, sodium, chloride, potassium, and sulfate. This book will be an invaluable reference for nutritionists, nutrition researchers, and food manufacturers.